Skin helps keep infection out of your body, so when it dries out and little cracks form, you’re literally more open to bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Here are some ways to prevent and speed—heal cold—weather skin problems. Wipe out dryness: The combination of colder outdoor temperatures and dry indoor heat makes dry skin (and the annoying itching it causes) almost inevitable.Preventative action:

Try a gentle soap: Most soaps, especially deodorant ones, are drying. (If you cannot find a moisturizing soap, try keeping a container of moisturizing lotion by the sink to rub on after handwashing.)

Be liberal with lotion: After bathing, slather on the moisturizer. Make sure you hit the most common trouble spots: the face, flanks, stomach and backs of knees.

Pick snug PJs: Loose-fitting pajamas can actually cause more rubbing and irritation to the skin than snug ones.

Lubricate the cuticles: Teach your child to rub a dab of moisturizer into his cuticles after handwashing.

Treatment tips:

Nip it the right way: That is, close to the skin using a nail clipper. Rinse the clipper first with alcohol. Infection in this area can easily spread to the skin under the nail and cause a more complex problem.

Beat chapped lips: Dry, flaky lips aren’t just annoying; in some cases, they can lead to cold sores.Preventative practices

Wet that kisser: Lip balms or even petroleum jelly treat and prevent chapped lips. But skip the flavored lip balms; the more delicious the flavor, the more a child will be tempted to lick it off, causing even more drying and chapping.

Treatment tips:

Soothe before sleep: If your child drools in her sleep, protect her lips and the skin around her mouth with petroleum jelly.

Conquer cold sores: Once a kid has been exposed to the herpes virus, cold sores may recur. Preventative practices:

Block that blast: On windy days, have your child wear a ski mask, or cover his mouth with a scarf.

Shade from the sun: Even in winter, sunlight can trigger an outbreak. Have your child wear a lip balm that contains a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 percent.